Restarting Windows 11 with the activation code again.
Restarting Windows 11 with the activation code again.
This device was purchased back in the past from a store that sold computers. It had Windows already set up. I upgraded it whenever necessary and used the free upgrade to Win 10, all without needing activation keys. If I run a clean install, how do I recover my activation key? Should I clone the drive instead?
You can simply reinstall Windows 11, and it will start working once it connects online, identifying the same hardware IDs as before.
Even after reinstalling Windows 11 on a fresh drive, it might automatically restart. Obtaining the installer directly from Microsoft could help avoid this issue.
Disconnect the old storage device, then perform a fresh setup on the new one. This ensures data safety if issues arise. Typically, Windows will start up normally once connected, provided the system hardware remains unchanged. (Provided the manufacturer originally used a valid installation key.)
Consider past changes Microsoft made regarding upgrades and installs of win11 when you used a Win7 or Win8 key. You might discover your operating system isn't active or your license has been downgraded to a lower tier. This is exactly what happened to me—upgraded from Windows 10 Pro to Win7 Ultimate, activated for Win11 Pro without issues, then reinstalled as Win11 Home. It’s wise to back up your entire OS drive before formatting to prevent unexpected problems.
It's been quite some time since modern CPUs stopped backing Windows 11, even with security features like TPM and secure boot.